The Guadalajara–Puerto Vallarta Short Route interchange has reached 70% completion and is on track to open before year’s end, cutting travel times from 50 to 25 minutes and benefiting over 800,000 users across Nayarit and Jalisco.
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – The Secretary of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SICT), Jesús Antonio Esteva Medina, announced today that the Guadalajara–Puerto Vallarta Short Route interchange is now 70 percent complete and on track for full opening before the end of the year. Once finished, the new highway connection is expected to serve more than 800,000 travelers annually and cut travel times in half between key junctions in Nayarit and Jalisco.
During an on‐site inspection, Esteva Medina was joined by Marco Antonio Figueroa, director of the SICT-Nayarit Center, to verify progress on the two new connecting roadways—or “gazas”—that will link the Bucerías (La Cruz de Huanacaxtle) interchange in Nayarit directly with Francisco Medina Ascencio Boulevard in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco. Each gazette is designed to carry over 60,000 vehicles per day, improving safety and fluidity for commuters and tourists alike.
“The pace of work has been remarkable,” said Secretary Esteva Medina. “At 70 percent completion, we remain confident that all structural, paving and safety systems will be finalized in the coming months, allowing us to deliver this vital corridor before year’s end.”
Once operational, motorists will be able to make the journey in just 25 minutes—down from the current average of 50 minutes—thanks to the straighter alignment and modern design standards. The shortened travel time is expected to boost economic activity across the Bay of Banderas region by facilitating faster freight movement, improving access for emergency services and easing daily commutes for local residents.
Construction crews have recently completed major earthworks, drainage installations and partial paving on both gazas, with bridge structures and retaining walls now under construction. Traffic management measures are also being installed to ensure seamless integration with existing highways and local road networks.
Marco Antonio Figueroa highlighted the collaborative effort between federal, state and municipal authorities: “Cooperation across all levels of government has been critical to maintaining momentum. We appreciate the support of contractors, engineers and local communities who have accommodated construction activities and traffic diversions.”
The project forms part of a broader SICT initiative to enhance connectivity between Mexico’s Pacific Coast cities and inland economic centers. It follows recent investments in highway upgrades around Guadalajara and improvements to the Tepic–San Blas corridor, further solidifying the region’s reputation as a major tourist and commercial gateway.
Local businesses and tourism operators have welcomed the news, anticipating that reduced travel times will encourage more day trips and expand visitor itineraries. Residents, meanwhile, look forward to safer, less congested roads, particularly during the high season when tourist traffic can double daily vehicle volumes.
With less than a third of the work remaining, SICT officials have pledged to maintain an accelerated schedule through the rainy season, leveraging prefabricated elements and round‐the‐clock shifts where feasible. The agency will host a final ribbon‐cutting ceremony upon completion, opening the door to a new era of mobility between Jalisco and Nayarit.
